#CBCVE70: CBCNews.ca readers share their family's VE-Day stories
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Victory in Europe that ended the Second World War, we posted excerpts of our interviews with veterans on Twitter and Facebook, and invited you to share your VE Day stories.
"The Dutch truly, truly will never forget what the Canadians did." Tell us your VE Day story with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBCVE70?src=hash">#CBCVE70</a> <a href="https://t.co/tPY9RuNt7K">https://t.co/tPY9RuNt7K</a>
—@CBCNews<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNews">@CBCNews</a> So true. As Canadian i live in Arnhem (Netherlands) The Dutch will never forget. (pics from ast year) <a href="http://t.co/tJAjdwy7Ob">pic.twitter.com/tJAjdwy7Ob</a>
—@_Ladyblabla_Some viewers shared photos of family members who were involved in the liberation of The Netherlands in 1945.
Howard Hampton, Seaforth Highlander, in Amsterdam after the liberation. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VEDay70?src=hash">#VEDay70</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Amsterdam?src=hash">#Amsterdam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Liberation70?src=hash">#Liberation70</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBCVE70?src=hash">#CBCVE70</a> <a href="http://t.co/5aWbloCb7H">pic.twitter.com/5aWbloCb7H</a>
—@cascourcelles<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNews">@CBCNews</a> Sgt Russell Barrett helped liberate Holland was awarded medal back in /02.Was with North Novies <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBCVE70?src=hash">#CBCVE70</a> <a href="http://t.co/f0bEYi2dQR">pic.twitter.com/f0bEYi2dQR</a>
—@stevethecaperJeannette Lambert's story of her family's ties to the Dutch took the form of a YouTube video she uploaded two years ago.
What do we do to remember, here in Canada, on Liberation Day? My family story, <a href="https://t.co/DeXejmldFh">https://t.co/DeXejmldFh</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBCVE70?src=hash">#CBCVE70</a>
—@nettelambertYou shared many more stories in the comments on our Facebook posts and on Twitter.
"I was only six years old when my grandfather, John Verhaag, took me in the guest room in his house. He sat me down and pulled out his medals from a drawer & proceeded to tell me how he earned each one. Never before or ever after did we have such a moment as this. The moment was powerful!" said Chris Lyon.
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNews">@CBCNews</a> My dad, NA Convoy run 39-45: "the worst thing was steaming past our own survivors. You knew they were not going to make it.".
—@Bill_Owen"My uncle George fought in Italy and Holland during WWII. He never talked about the War, he couldn't. I remember mom telling me that when the family went to the train station to bring him home. He couldn't kiss anyone because he had trench mouth," said Brad Walker.
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNews">@CBCNews</a> My Uncle Mel was a Canadian soldier who helped liberate the Dutch. He was also very involved with the Legion in New Westminster BC
—@TaleFinn"My father served in Holland with the Calgary Tanks. He was selected to go back for the 50th anniversary celebration of liberation and said the gratitude of the Dutch people was overwhelming," said Terry Ungarian.
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNews">@CBCNews</a> My dad <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PerthRegiment?src=hash">#PerthRegiment</a> Pte Dick Prashaw, DDay Dodger Italy, fought Arnhem, Delfzijl, only WW2 wound April 29 1945 mop up <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBCVE70?src=hash">#CBCVE70</a>
—@canadaheyeh"My father served. He was found injured in a field in Holland, by a little girl playing with her brother. They called for help, and brought my father to their home to recover, so grateful were they for the Canadians' help. The little girl grew, and corresponded with my mother for many years. Each spring, for about 20 years, she and her family sent us Dutch tulips for our garden. Eventually, everybody moved and lost touch. But I still remember those tulips and what they meant," said Lynn Alfino.
"My father was part of the liberation of Holland! He was lucky enough to go to Holland in 2000, and was staggered by the amount of Hollanders that lined the streets to show their gratitude," said Debby Bowsher.
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNews">@CBCNews</a> my Oma and Opa were saved by the Canadians. Thank you so much for sharing this. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/aproudCanadian?src=hash">#aproudCanadian</a>
—@ticlypops"My father was 14 at the time and was told by his father to ride to the neighbouring farms and tell them the Canadians were coming. While frantically riding his bike to the next farm, shells started dropping close to him, so he hid in a ditch. He then heard a tank approaching and was terrified it was the Germans. The tank stopped and someone tapped him on the shoulder. He looked up and seen a Canadian soldier with a huge handlebar mustache. The soldier offered him some chocolate (which was like gold at the time), and took my father and his bike on the tank to ride in to the next town," said Sylvia Ann.
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNews">@CBCNews</a> I have a beloved uncle who is buried in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Holten?src=hash">#Holten</a>. Thanks so much <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBCVE70?src=hash">#CBCVE70</a> for keeping the memories of our Canadian hero's alive.
—@Fayclis<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNews">@CBCNews</a> my grandparents met during liberation of zwolle, grandpa french canadian soldier, oma pretty dutch woman, ties are deep <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcve70?src=hash">#cbcve70</a>
—@1lorikingThank you for telling your stories, and for following our coverage of the VE Day commemorations in Europe this week.